GJM activists attack Trinamool leader, damage government offices

A Trinamool Congress leader was injured and his house partially damaged when alleged Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) activists flung a petrol bomb at the residence in the early hours of Friday, officials said.

Violence has been rocking the northern Bengal hills since Thursday night. Police said Trinamool Congress leader M.K. Zimba, also the Vice Chairman of Mirik Municipality, sustained head injuries in the attack following which he had to be medically treated.

The GJM activists also set afire a Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) office and an agriculture department office building in Mirik.

Police contingents were rushed to the affected area where the situation was now under control.

The GJM activists also burnt down a Panchayat office at Gairigaon in Kurseong police station area.

The fresh spate of violence began on Thursday night when GJM activists attacked a police-Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) patrol party, injuring six security personnel in the Teesta Valley, and ransacked a police outpost.

Two police vehicles were set on fire by the GJM supporters, who snatched an SLR (Self Loading Rifle) and a 9-mm pistol from the police-CRPF patrol party in the Rangli Rangliat police outpost area in Darjeeling district.

The GJM-sponsored ongoing shutdown in the hills in support of a Gorkhaland state entered the 16th day on Friday.

--IANS

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